HOOVER, Ala. — Following a record-setting junior season at Texas A&M, receiver Ryan Swope's head whispered one thing concerning whether he should turn pro. His heart uttered another — and his head finally hooked up with his heart.

“I talked to my family, and I talked to Coach (Kevin) Sumlin,” Swope said at this past week's SEC media days. “I just really wanted to follow my heart. Everything was telling me to come back, stick it out one more year, play for Coach Sumlin and play in the Southeastern Conference.”

The NFL's loss — at least for a season — is A&M's gain because, numbers wise, Swope is the Aggies' top player in their first foray into the rugged SEC West. Last season, he eclipsed a school record he shared with Jeff Fuller with 89 catches, and he also set the school's single-season mark in receiving yards with 1,207.

Swope has also seen a little bit of everything the past three seasons — a losing record as a freshman, an inspiring winning streak as a sophomore, coach Mike Sherman fired as a junior — so he's as versed as anyone wearing the Aggies' new uniforms to speak about the coming season.

Speaking of A&M's new jerseys sporting two large vertical stripes on the shoulders in a nod to their 1970s threads ...

“They look great,” Swope said, smiling. “And as long as we win, they'll look even better.”

A new quarterback will help determine whether the Aggies win in the SEC, too. Swope said sophomore Jameill Showers has looked sharp heading into camp, where players report Aug. 2.

“Jameill has so many great tangibles,” Swope said. “From arm strength to awareness. He's had a really good summer during 7-on-7 drills and is zipping the ball around and making good decisions.”

Showers exited spring drills leading a battle including freshman Johnny Manziel, sophomore Matt Joeckel and freshman Matt Davis. The new starter will replace Ryan Tannehill, drafted eighth overall by the Miami Dolphins. Swope said the arm strength of Tannehill and Showers is comparable.

“Ryan was at his best when he was moving around in the pocket, and he could really zip it,” Swope said. “Jameill can sit in the pocket and throw bullets at you. They're very similar in ways, and it'll be interesting to see how Jameill gets compared to Ryan this year.”

Freshman Trey Williams, A&M's first Rivals five-star recruit since fellow running back Christine Michael three years ago, is another intriguing player Swope has earned an up-close look at this summer during individual drills.

“Trey's got great speed, and he's just one of those kids who has a motor,” Swope said. “He's going to be exciting to watch, and he's got quickness for sure.”

Williams rushed for 8,110 yards over a spectacular career at Spring Dekaney High but will have to fight the senior Michael and junior Ben Malena for playing time in the Aggies' talented offense.

“There's so much depth on our offense, it's hard to pinpoint what Trey's exact role will be,” Swope said. “You've got Christine and Ben, and our receiver depth is very good. He'll (likely) fit right in on the kick-return team. He has some fairly good hands and can move around real well.”

The Aggies open their season Aug. 30 in Shreveport, La., against Louisiana Tech. On Sept. 8, Swope and the Aggies welcome Florida to Kyle Field for A&M's first SEC showdown.

“To have your home opener as a team and as a coach be an SEC game is a big deal, no doubt about that,” Sumlin said.

For Swope, back for a final round in Aggieland, it should offer one more memory to a slew of good and occasionally forgettable recollections from a record-setting career.

“It's a privilege to be in the SEC, and this is going to be a fun year,” Swope said. “This team is hungry to win.”